Hello, I'm planning on getting my first xbox 360 (xbox elite) and was wondering if I only want to be able to play/make backups and most likely for online games use the original disc, which is the safer way that I should go for modding?
SoftMOD or Xecuter 360 Blaster CK3?

Please provide instructions for SoftModding if this is safe for Online play.

Thanks

well the ck3 is just a connectivity kit... it allows you to connect the 360s dvd drive to your computer easier. Its not a modchip. for what you want to do (play backups online) you want to put hacked firmware on your dvd drive. assuming you get a liteon drive, you'll want ixtreme LT 1.1. The CK3 isn't necessary but it will make for easier flashing

Oh, Ok, so if it's not a lite-on drive or even if it is, is softmodding Ok and shouldn't get me banned?
I found a SofMod guide here http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=215055 but hasn't been updated since May-31-2004

Is there a new SoftMod guide that is safe and will allow me to play and backup games like I have done with my wii?

Thanks

google jungleflasher. right now the only "safe" drives are benq and liteons because ixtreme LT was made for them. LT for samsung drives is on the way and probably will never exist for hitachi. If you're buying a new 360 it will have a liteon. If its one of the newer liteons you don't have to do a "hardmod" exactly, but it will require some soldering knowledge in order to dump the original firmware off the drive

and no it wont be as easy as on the wii... and its not really a "softmod" its a firmware hack

Hey, m8

If you have never owned a 360 before, and you want to mod one to play backups, here's some advice:

The newer it is, the harder it is to get the DVD key. The sweet spot for easy modding is a manufacturing date of about April 2008 to August 2009. The easiest and safest drive is a BenQ.
Go here to learn what to look for and where on the console. Like I said, you want a BenQ, NOT a Lite-On.

Don't get a brand new one, and DON'T get a Slim (they're not moddable yet). Go to a place like GameStop, and tell the clerk what you're looking for, but don't mention modding. Check the manufacture date on the back. Have them take off the front plate so you can look at the hole under the tray (to identify the drive type), and also check the warrenty sticker. If the sticker is damaged, make sure you have the clerk note that on the receipt. 30 day return policies are sweet!


All the Xecuter 360 Blaster CK3 does is allow you to read/flash your drive without having to open your case every time. You'll have to open it to install the Blaster CK3, but that's it.

As far as flashing is concerned, go to http://www.jungleflasher.net/downloads.html

Read the tutorial for how to set up your PC, and how to use Jungleflasher with your specific drive. Follow the tutorial, and you should have no problems. Enjoy!

Ok, I'll check out Jungleflasher and come back if I have questions.

Should I still get a Xecuter 360 Blaster CK3 with Jungleflasher and I should be all set?

looks like the xbox elite has a date of 4/12/2008

Thanks guys

According to the 360 drive database, that will probably have a Benq drive, which are very simple to flash. If the xbox has not been on live, then it is probably Jtaggable. If you dont know what that is read here.
If you are planning on playing on Xbox Live then you probably wont want to JTAG.

Yeah, I'm probably going to want to play Online (Live)

Yeah, if you never want to have to open your case to flash again, the Blaster is a good product. Unnecessary for just a single flash, but still good. Most first-time modders just use the console to power the drive and connect the SATA directly to the PC. For the purposes of any drive other than a Hitachi, all the Blaster really does is provide a SATA switch between the Xbox motherboard and an external SATA port.

Multiple modders and installers use something like the CK3 Pro with the Probe 2.

I'm not knocking the Blaster CK3. It's a fine product... just saying it's a little unnecessary for your uses. But, hey, if you get it, then you're golden for iX updates from now til the end of time.

So the xbox HDD uses a special power connector? if the sata cable is the same for a PC then I don't mind doing what you said and just use the xbox to power the drive then run a sata cable to the hdd from my PC if that works fine? so then I just use Jungleflasher to do the rest?

The mod to be able to play backups has nothing to do with the HDD, but yes, the HDD case has a proprietary connector.

The DVD drive has a standard SATA connector and a proprietary power connector, thus people power it with the console.